In my opinion, Pete Jacobs was very kind with his words. Others in his position might have been tempted to seek legal advice on whether they had been defamed.
I don’t this Messnik was fair to Jabobs on the validation thing.
You want your reigning champs to complete an IM event to validate their return to Kona? Fine. But if you’re expecting something more than a finish from them, don’t complain when ‘all they do’ is finish. Jacobs finished an IM knowing he wouldn’t compete - only because it was one of the hoops to get him to his goal.
If you’re going to set the rules for Kona, don’t be surprised when athletes do exactly what is required of them.
Unfortunately there is a disconnect from the WTC and Pro Triathletes, having the President call out PJ like that is unprofessional and PJ deserves a public apology.
Look for PJ in podium spot at Kona if not for FTW.
I think many of us would love to see a public apology to PJ.
As much as it is due, I highly doubt we’ll see an apology.
The irony is that the WTC/ Messick just posted to professional athletes about regulations in regards to social media professionalism.
The irony is that the WTC/ Messick just posted to professional athletes about regulations in regards to social media professionalism.
No no that letter doesn’t apply to WTC salaried employees, it only applies to Professional athletes that are given no salary/contract(s).
Messick is a fucking chode. Hypocrite
Issues like this are what Messick is trying to avoid in the future with his new “social media professional code of conduct”. You can’t blame PJ for his response and he did it in a professional manner.
I kind of agree with Messick that it’s in the sports best interest if these items are discussed behind closed doors. IM was wrong calling PJ out in the first place but in the future, things like this should be discussed between the people involved not out on an open forum.
I think that the point has been made that IM chose the public arena to make a comment about an athlete that was clearly identifiable from the comments. It should also be noted that the athlete is in a significantly weaker financial / bargaining position (and their reputation is more vulnerable to comments like this) than IM and this is one aspect that made many of us shake our heads.
It’s great to hear each side of the story and only further shines a spotlight on the communication between the WTC and it’s pro athletes. I’m not sure when there is going to be a conscious effort by the majority of the athletes to get a proper organization around them. I realize a lot of these athletes worked in other areas of life prior to their pro card getting punched so why aren’t they employing those skill sets? Surely with doctors, lawyers, financial investors, etc we’re talking about a group of highly intelligent individuals here. Form a union, have them pay dues and get legal representation. Take their offer to IM and to Challenge and let the best organization win their “contracts”. This is simple economics and the better series will get the pros and competition will even the playing grounds. The supply and demand paradigm will be broken resulting in WTC or Challenge scrambling to adjust to win those contracts back. That may change the tune of AM saying, it’s an age group sport thus they won’t be any worse off for loosing the pro contracts.
What a tool Messick is.
Pete Jacobs is a class act all the way.
I love the hypocrisy below from the interview…
ST: Because of your Kona validation requirement, two-time Ironman World Champion Mirinda Carfrae completed the 2013 edition of Ironman Florida as 28th place woman in 9:48:07 and husband-to-be Tim O’Donnell followed his 5th place at Kona with a 66th overall place in 9:15:54. What did you think of that?
Andrew: Like Tom Boonen, they were not in peak shape but they tried and they gave a professional performance.
Mirinda jogged the marathon, stopped, ate chips at a BBQ and gave autographs and came in 28th place. She basically thumbed her nose at the WTC stupidity and he can’t say anything because she is top level front runner who is shaping up to be the best female athlete for the sport since Chrissy Wellington. She could have stopped for a few beers and an afternoon delight and come in in 12 hours and he would have to take it with a smile BUT he kicks Pete Jacobs when he is down?? SCUMBAG
Maybe the answer is neither WTC nor Challenge…maybe it is time for a “paradigm shift” (all Aussies out there, you will recognise the Katterism :))
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I don’t understand why PJ felt he even needed to respond. But it was certainly a revealing letter. For one, It’s certainly disheartening that a pro at his level worries about lost income from one race. Certainly says something about our sport. Also interesting insight to non-race obligations (interviews, jerseys, etc.) relative to Ironman. But, those are certainly mutually beneficial, helping promote PJ and Ironman.
I’m certainly a fan, and his acknowledgement of his challenges reinforces that. Not as much as Crowie, though. (Sorry Pete, but as an old dude, I have to favor the old dudes.)
I think that the point has been made that IM chose the public arena to make a comment about an athlete that was clearly identifiable from the comments. It should also be noted that the athlete is in a significantly weaker financial / bargaining position (and their reputation is more vulnerable to comments like this) than IM and this is one aspect that made many of us shake our heads.
I was away for a bit could you fill me in on what happened?
See the following link http://www.petejacobs.com/
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I don’t think there is a single better illustration of the athletes inability to have a voice in their own sport
he gets called out publicly, writes a letter to the same CEO of an organisation that will not tolerate dissent amonst its non-paid customers and he’s going back - well that sends a message…dont call me out again or I might come to your event again…
these guy’s hardly need to modify their behaviour when people keep going back to get hit again…
Thank you. I agree with the opinions of the others posting.
I’m sure his sponsors expect him to show up at Kona, along with the fact that a top 3 placing is fairly lucrative.
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I’m sure you’re correct, but its not something thats going to change from the inside, these guy’s (WTC) will only change when it impacts their wallet or their credibility through a weak field
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